Just to clear up a long-term argument The Overfinch Discovery was in fact NOT a myth - I have just bought one of these rare beasties(only 3 or 4 built), but they are out there.

There is one another for sale at restorationmen in oxfordshire - a 1991 Manual car 350 together with all the stuff you could get on the RR at the time(red instruments etc). This chap was involved with Overfinch during this time and remembers my car. He is asking £25K - see ebay

The car I have bought(together with invoce from Overfinch for 22k) is a stage 2 Conversion based on a 1995 Discovery ES7 Auto

Has the following

Chevy 350 Vortec(LT31 Engine) with hi-flow headers, beefed-up gearbox, brakes, suspension and quick steering, stainless exhaust system and a few cosmetic things(spare wheel cover, badges, etc) - the interior was left stock as it was very nice anyhow.

Originally on Injection but now running a big Holley with Edelbrock inlets

The car is a bit tatty but very solid, and as the original ECU Land Rover was left in situ I am going to replace the engine and box with standard items from the time and sell it on.

The 350 motor, uprated gearbox(refurbished at Ashcroft 1000 miles ago- bonus!) and all the adaptors etc will be going into my Defender(current TVR RV8 getting a bit tired). As she be a 1984 there are no cats to worry about so free-flowing exhaust can be fabricated. Planning to swap the chevy heads for aluminium big-valves and fit a high-torque cam to suit.

As my defender is a cabrio and only weighs 1300kg (1400 with the chevy in) she should be quite lively!!!

Will keep ypou posted as the project develops.

this car

will have this engine see myrecent topic post in Yank Cars -chevy 350 starter motor nightmare

So, your destroying in a way, a very rare example of a car.To make another one a bit faster. I like the idea but it seems a waste of the disco to remove the engine that made it special and unique in the first place.

So, your destroying in a way, a very rare example of a car.To make another one a bit faster. I like the idea but it seems a waste of the disco to remove the engine that made it special and unique in the first place.

The money I would need to spend on the disco to make it fast enough for me(stroking the engine to 383 CI, aftermarket injection etc), plus about 6 grand on cosmetics to get it back up to scratch(respray, re-trim, other repairs) would add up to a lot more than the car would ever be worth.

By putting the running gear into my defender(new chassis, cosmetically excellent) I am at least getting the performance I require at a reasonable cost in an interesting vehicle.

The money I would need to spend on the disco to make it fast enough for me(stroking the engine to 383 CI, aftermarket injection etc), plus about 6 grand on cosmetics to get it back up to scratch(respray, re-trim, other repairs) would add up to a lot more than the car would ever be worth.

Spending more money on a car than what its worth is fairly common!

I'm sure someone who be niterested ina car with such low production numbers, especially if its restored to factory condition.

I picked up L31 vortec engine and box very cheaply years ago. Fairly unremarkable engine and not all that powerful (255 bhp). They are externally balanced and have different inlet manifolds - so not exactly a cherished or sought after engine. I got it running standalone on the factory ECU one afternoon for a giggle.http://www.mez.co.uk/vortec5700.html

I picked up L31 vortec engine and box very cheaply years ago. Fairly unremarkable engine and not all that powerful (255 bhp). They are externally balanced and have different inlet manifolds - so not exactly a cherished or sought after engine. I got it running standalone on the factory ECU one afternoon for a giggle.http://www.mez.co.uk/vortec5700.html

Hi Elliot - I have had your MEZ pages bookmarked for a long time and have found them very very useful in maintaining my TVR engine - THANKS

After many phone-calls and emails I have finally ascertained that my engine is NOT an L31 Vortec but a very late L05! Many thanks Brian at Roadcraft in Lancing

Turns out one of the heads has a small crack in it.

The bottom end seems fine and I have today been and bought some Edelbrock E-street big-valve aluminium heads, gaskets, and everything else for a full top-end rebuild - just waiting to confirm whether the cam has roller-lifters or the flat-tops.

If they are rollers I have been advised to leave well alone as they hardly wear at all, and if they are flats then a new hi-torque cam will be installed - will be matching the inlet/outlet ports (have large-bore free-flow headers and ported edelbrock inlet already) and making sure the big holley is spot on. All i will needd now is strengthened pushrods and maybe some rockers.

An interesting project, I briefly considered alternative powertrains for my Bowler earlier this year when the engine was sick (3.9 EFI Rover V8) but decided it was wiser to repair than go silly with Ford V8 power and the resultant modifications.

I really like the 2-door Range Rover Overfinch with the Schuler FF transmission, I didn't know that they modified Discovery too.

vjj said:

Hi Guys,As my defender is a cabrio and only weighs 1300kg (1400 with the chevy in) she should be quite lively!!!

I really like the 2-door Range Rover Overfinch with the Schuler FF transmission

I have one of those transfer boxes mated to what I think is a 700 R4. It came with an L98 small block and Corvette heads. I haven't dared put it in anything as I assume the parts are all obsolete. It's also very long.